Australian Embassy in Myanmar

Welcome to the home page of the Australian Embassy in Myanmar. The following pages include information about services for Australian travellers overseas, advice about immigration and visas, information about Australia's foreign policy and development assistance programs, and general information about Australia.

This website also contains links to other websites which outline the roles and responsibilities of the different agencies and departments of the Australian government.

We would welcome any comments or suggestions you might wish to make about this website and the information it contains.

Australia Awards scholarships are prestigious international awards offered by the Australian Government to the next generation of global leaders for development. Through study and research, recipients develop the skills and knowledge to drive change and help build enduring people-to-people links with Australia.

Applicants are assessed on their professional and personal qualities, academic competence and, most importantly, their potential to impact on development challenges in Myanmar.

Humanitarian assistance for Myanmar and Bangladesh - 9 September 2017

Australia is deeply concerned by the escalating violence in Rakhine State in Myanmar and the resulting humanitarian crisis in Myanmar and Bangladesh.

We call for restraint by the Myanmar authorities, for the protection of civilians, and for unfettered access to be granted to humanitarian workers.

We recognise the heavy burden placed on Bangladesh as a result of the conflict. The United Nations estimates that over 270,000 people have now crossed the border in order to escape violence in Rakhine State.

Australia will provide up to $5 million to help respond to the crisis. Our assistance will contribute to life-saving food being provided to up to 300,000 people.

Australian support in Bangladesh will be provided through the World Food Programme and the International Organisation for Migration. In Myanmar, Australia will work with the Red Cross movement to reach those affected by the conflict.

This funding will bring Australia’s assistance for Rohingya and affected communities in Myanmar and Bangladesh to over $50 million since 2012.

Australian Government statement on the situation in Rakhine State - 5 September 2017

Australia is deeply concerned by the escalation in violence in Rakhine State, including disturbing reports that civilians have been targeted and villages burned down.

We acknowledge Myanmar is dealing with a serious security challenge in Rakhine State following attacks on government forces on 25 August, which have been claimed by the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army. We condemn all such violent attacks.

We urge all sides to exercise restraint and respect human rights. We reiterate our call for proportionality, the protection of civilians and an end to the use of violence.

We welcome the Government of Myanmar’s commitment to ensure that humanitarian assistance reaches all communities in need and without putting people at further risk. Aid needs to flow quickly to vulnerable communities.

The events in Rakhine State underscore the urgency of implementing the recommendations of the Advisory Commission on Rakhine State as fully and quickly as possible. Australia stands ready to support Myanmar’s efforts in this regard.

Australian Embassy statement on situation in Rakhine State - 29 August 2017

Australia strongly condemns the attacks against government security forces in northern Rakhine State. We offer our condolences to the victims and their families. Appropriate measures to bring the perpetrators to account should be taken. Violence will only worsen the many development, human rights and security challenges facing Rakhine State.

We urge respect for law and order and an end to the use of violence. It is important that civilian populations of all communities are protected and that all responses are proportional.

Violence is not the solution to Rakhine State’s challenges. Recent developments underline the need for long-term solutions. We have commended the Government of Myanmar for establishing the Advisory Commission on Rakhine State and we welcome its commitment to implement the Commission’s recommendations to the fullest extent and within the shortest timeframe possible. We support these efforts to restore stability, peace and hope to all people in Rakhine State.

The Direct Aid Program

Applications for the 2017-2018 Direct Aid Program have now closed.

The Direct Aid Program (DAP) provides funding of up to AUD$60,000 for projects that provide direct benefits to those most in need in the local community, including vulnerable or disadvantaged groups. In Myanmar our program is particularly focused on livelihoods.

Passport fees will increase in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) as of 1 January 2018. The new fee schedule is available on the Australian Passport Office’s website. Please note fees must be paid in US Dollars in cash.

Fee increases for Notarial Services

There will be an increase in notarial fees from 1 January 2018. The new fee structure will better align with the commercial rates charged by public notaries. The new fee schedule is available here.

MEDIA RELEASE - Friday 2 September 2016:

More Australian students to study in Myanmar

85 Australian undergraduate students will study and undertake work placements in Myanmar in 2017 through the Australian Government’s flagship New Colombo Plan education program.

“Students from five Australian universities will study a broad range of subjects including community legal education, architecture and political economy” said Ambassador Nicholas Coppel, Australian Embassy Yangon.

“New Colombo Plan mobility students will return to Australia with new insights and understanding about Myanmar and new friendships that will last a lifetime,” Ambassador Coppel said.

New Colombo Plan 2017 mobility projects in Myanmar will see Australian students visiting Yangon Technological University and University of Yangon. Students will study in the fields of architectural design, legal English, and Myanmar’s Political Economy.

“These are exciting projects that demonstrate the many opportunities for Australian students to deepen their academic and life experiences through study and work placements in Myanmar”, Ambassador Coppel said.

The New Colombo Plan is an initiative of the Australian Government to lift knowledge of the Indo-Pacific by supporting Australian undergraduate students to study and undertake internships in the region.

Official Facebook page of the Australian Embassy in Myanmar

Humanitarian assistance to Myanmar

The Australian Government will deploy a package of humanitarian relief supplies to those displaced by flooding and landslides in Myanmar following Cyclone Komen.

In partnership with the Myanmar Government, Australian non-government organisations and the United Nations, Australia will provide family kits comprising kitchen sets, bedding, clothing, mosquito nets, hygiene kits and school supplies.

This assistance builds on the $2 million package announced on 5 August and brings Australia’s total contribution to $3 million in response to a request from the Government of Myanmar.

Australia will work with Save the Children, CARE Australia and UN partners to provide 300,000 people with temporary shelter, safe drinking water and health care. We are also supporting emergency reproductive health services for those impacted by the natural disaster.

The Australian Government will continue to work closely with the Myanmar Government and partners to ensure that our humanitarian assistance is meeting the needs of the most affected communities.

Implementation of Australian Visa Application Centre (AVAC)

From 18 May 2015 applications for visas to Australia will need to be lodged at the Australian Visa Application Centre (AVAC), Yangon. See Implementation of AVAC.

Announcement from Mr Nicholas Coppel, Australia's new Ambassador to Myanmar

I am pleased to introduce myself as Australia’s new Ambassador to Myanmar.

Australia has a longstanding bilateral relationship with Myanmar – we have had a continuous diplomatic presence in Yangon since opening the Embassy in 1952. Sixty-three years later, the relationship continues to grow and evolve.

Responsible and ethical trade and investment between Australia and Myanmar is on the rise, supported by Australian Trade Commission (Austrade) office at the Embassy. Through expanding education links including through the Australia Awards scholarship program and the New Colombo Plan, people to people links between our countries continue to grow.

Australia remains committed to supporting democratic and economic reform in Myanmar, for the benefit of the Myanmar people. Through our development assistance program, we will continue to provide support for Myanmar’s political, economic and social development, including in education, systems of governance and for the all-important peace process.

Our cooperation now extends to a modest defence cooperation program, in the fields of humanitarian and emergency response and peacekeeping; and police-to-police engagement supported by the Australian Federal Police office at the Embassy which focuses on counter-narcotics, combating human trafficking and transnational crime.

I look forward to furthering Australia and Myanmar’s relationship during my time as Ambassador.

Press Release - Wednesday 4 February 2015:

Australian Policy: Operation Sovereign Borders

The Australian Government has introduced its toughest border protection measures ever, called Operation Sovereign Borders. Under the policy, anyone who comes to Australia illegally by boat without a visa will never be settled in Australia. The policy applies to everyone: families, children, unaccompanied children, educated and skilled. There are no exceptions to this policy.

The Australian Government’s policy is intended to deter people smugglers by denying them a product to sell and prevent tragic deaths at sea.

A fact sheet with further information is available in English and Myanmar.